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Economical Glazing To Enclose An
Open Structure
Here's my question, and it arises after
reading your description of how you made your storm windows using that
thin, easily-damaged sheeting:
I want to enclose a fairly large area under an existing structure. The
existing structure is about 10' above ground level, the area beneath is
semi-finished with a concrete slab. My first choice, if budgets were not a
consideration, would be to just make perimeter walls of sliding glass
doors and put transom-type windows above the sliders to fill the remaining
space- that way the transoms could be opened for ventilation while the
sliders remained closed. But since budgets are a consideration, sliding
glass doors are out of question.
There is a product available which is perfectly clear like glass or plexi-glass,
but is tough, stretchy & flexible, like a super-thick version of the
"Saran Wrap" you might wrap your leftover lunch with. I have
seen this product in one beachside restaurant, where it was used in frames
to make removable "panes" that could be put in or taken out of
the windows, depending on the weather and on whether the restaurant
decided to have "open air" or to enclose the space for
air-conditioning. But I don't know what the product is called, or where it
can be found, or what it costs. My assumption is that the restaurant used
it because it was less costly than, and lighter to handle than, glass
storm windows. If I could locate the material, I don't see why I could not
make simple frames to go floor-to-ceiling around the perimeter of my
desired "room".
Any ideas?
Calvin E.
That
clear glazing solution used by that restaurant sounds like an
interesting idea. I don't know what type of plastic that could be, or
where to find it.
I once made an "interior storm window" using a sheet of heavy
clear vinyl, which was bought at Wal-Mart, of all places. The vinyl was
not as clear as the usual heat-shrink material, but it was 3 or 4 times
as thick and probably much more durable.
I suspect that the common heat-shrink plastic is actually vinyl, because
all the other heat shrink materials I have seen (such as electrical
insulating tubing) are also vinyl, or PVC, which is just a different
recipe of vinyl.
I can't even imagine where to look for such heavy plastic glazing. But I
would approach the commercial/industrial supply angle, rather than the
usual consumer-oriented retailers. Of course, that would imply more
money.
We have a stock pile of a dozen or so windows in one of our storage
buildings. These are windows we removed from various remodeling
projects. The point is that cheap, single-pane windows are EVERYWHERE.
Builders (especially remodelers) routinely throw away old windows.
You could:
- Look for a local retailer that sells second-hand building materials.
Even our tiny locale, Traverse City Michigan, has such a business. I've
seen used windows for $10 to $25.
- Call some local remodeling contractors. Heck, contact window
replacement companies. Tell them you are looking for used windows. Offer
to haul away any old windows for free. If you can do the task promptly
(i.e. by the end of the day when they notify you) they would probably be
delighted to save on the expense of waste hauling. You'll need a truck,
or at least a utility trailer.
Of course, using old windows won't give you the consistent and clean
look that new windows will... but the price is hard to beat. With a
little luck and creativity, you might be able to at least obtain some
symmetry to the overall appearance. Or you could be eclectic and just
make the walls a "collage" of old window sashes.
Bruce W. Maki, Editor.
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